Asquith: Ethical Activewear

In my attempt to be more ethical in life, versatile, sustainable, and slow fashion reigns strong. But what about my yoga wear? There are so few plus size, sustainable fashion brands out there but when it comes to yoga, being plus size and ethical is far easier thanks to Asquith.

I have spoken before about my love of yoga. The practice centres me; grounds me both physically and mentally. I practice it regularly, at least daily now, and have recently started trapeze yoga with Sara Q Yoga. The benefits to my chronic pain have been phenomenal and my body has begun to move in ways I never thought possible. This means that I’m spending more and more time practicing yoga and, as such, I’m spending more and more time in gym wear.

In fact, my husband even jokes that he sees me in a sports bra far more than lingerie these days. If you follow me on Instagram, then you will know how big a deal this is!

However, finding plus size yoga clothes that last has never been easy. So many leggings stretch within a wear and end up revealing pants (or worse) when in downward dog. Tops refuse to stay put end up hanging over your head and obscuring your vision when attempting inverts. Clothes wear through quickly and end up in the recycling pile after just a month. Polyester and cotton, neither sustainable in their make-up, get thrown out far too quickly and yoga practice becomes less about ethics and more about practicality.

Thankfully, Asquith London, make ethical activewear and have just expanded into the plus size market.

My plus size yoga clothes capsule collection

I have a capsule for my everyday and work wear clothes. So why not have a mini-capsule for gym wear?

A series of leggings and tops that work together in multiple ways to create a series of looks that work for my active lifestyle. This means that the collection needs to be as suitable for yoga and pilates as it is for dog walks incorporating National Trust cafes.

Thankfully, the Asquith designs are made just for this. All their styles come in coordinating colours so you can mix and match from their collection and make your own activewear capsule. Mine, currently, is minimal. A crop top, a ballet wrap, leggings and a long-sleeved top. Yet it could be easily built on; layering camisoles with the wrap, switching out leggings for harem pants, incorporating a jumpsuit for loungewear, and a sweat shirt for cooler evenings.

Move It Leggings

Made from organic and sustainable fabrics, Asquith’s bamboo yoga leggings are a plus size girls dream. The material is thick and firm with a slight stretch to ensure they mould to your figure. The waist-band is high, sitting above my belly button and not slipping or moving at all, even when hanging upside down from a trapeze!

The bamboo material means that the leggings are thick enough to remain opaque, even when stretched – a far cry from so many other leggings that I’ve tried over the years. The leggings retain their shape and structure through multiple-wears and, to date, haven’t lost any shape through washing.

Balance Bra Top

Made from the same bamboo and organic cotton blend as the leggings, the Balance Bra top is thick and supportive. It includes removal foam pads if you’d like extra shape, and a race back for extra support. The straps are wise and seam free for ultimate comfort when moving and the back band sits low and firm across my ribs.

The Balance Bra is not our traditional sports bra. There is very little support for my h-cup breasts and I certainly wouldn’t try impact sports in this item. However, it comfortable and supportive for gentle stretching and flexibility work. It is also a delight to wear a lounge wear something with a little less support and a lot more comfort than traditional sports bras.

If, like me, you have an ample bosom, then I wouldn’t advise inversion in this bra as there is a substantial risk of spilling out!

Open Back Tee

With long sleeves and a tapered fit, this draped-back tee is perfect for wearing during outdoor activity. The slim fit across the lower abdomen and hips means that the top stays in place during activity. The draped open-back also means that you get to show off the balance bra’s race back.

The bamboo yoga tops are warm yet breathable. The natural fibres of the material are fast-growing with alow-impact on the environment. The material also feels soft against the skin.

Blissful Wrap

The wrap-around cardigan is made from the same material as the tee – making it perfect for activewear as well as snuggling on the sofa with a cup of tea and a book (basically the components of my perfect Friday night). It can be worn in multiple ways with my favourite being loosely tied at the front to show a flash of belly.

The draped style of the cardigan means it has great movement when work for yoga but is easy to throw off if you get a little too warm.

In all of these styles I’m wearing an XL, which is roughly a size 16. I always size down in activewear as the stretch of active fabrics accommodates my curves in a way that more structured fabrics struggle with. The brand have recently increased their range to include an XXL, roughly a size 18. Although many of their looser sizes will accommodate a size 20.

I sincerely hope this new foray into plus sizes will prove fruitful for the brand and convince them to expand their sizing further into the plus market. After all, they’re clothes are stylish and practical – things that woman of all sizes want from their activewear.

The items seen in this post have been gifted by Asquith London. All thoughts and opinions expressed remain true to my findings.

Some lovely workout bits, I always have the same problems as you in that there aren’t too many ranges which firstly accomodate for larger sizes, but also if you do get leggings they do stretch out a lot x

This company sounds fantastic, and the products are beautiful! I totally agree about leggings though, they never last long. I used to love yoga actually, before I had children. I need to get back into it!